3-4-3 or 3-5-2?Last season saw the birth of a new fashion in English tactics, the 3-4-3. A popular formation in the 1990s, the 3-4-3 has experienced something of a rebirth, a modernisation, when Antonio Conte deployed it in the second half of their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal back in September.
We didn’t realise the importance of what we were witnessing at the time, but that tactical change allowed Chelsea to embark on a 13-game winning streak that heralded the Premier League title. In fact, the formation proved so successful that other teams in the division began utilising the same shape.
However, it was a marriage of convenience, a formation used out of necessity. Conte’s favoured formation is a 3-5-2, one that he used at Juventus and with the Italian national team.
With the signings of Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko, plus the expected arrival of Alvaro Morata, for a combined £144 million, we can see the Blues’ new look beginning to take shape.
The difference between a 3-4-3 and a 3-5-2In truth, the 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 aren’t too dissimilar in terms of roles, but there are subtle tactical differences in the formation that are key to making them both work.
For instance, in the 3-4-3 the inside forwards and the wing backs were key to making the side tick, linking defence to attack and providing transitions from front to back, but in the 3-5-2 there is an extra central midfielder through which all play goes.
Said midfielder can drop deep in search of the ball, spray it wide or go over the top directly. He will be the side’s chief orchestrator and it relieves some of the pressure on the inside forwards and the wingbacks to link play together, allowing them to focus on finding the goal and attacking the flanks respectively.
The 3-5-2, moreover, puts an extra body up front to lead the line in a free role, without compromising any midfield shape because of the presence of the fifth midfielder.
The importance of Cesc FabregasOne noted feature of the 3-4-3 last season was the lack of midfield creativity in the N’Golo Kante-Nemanja Matic partnership, with the Serb often having to take on the role of deep-lying playmaker to the detriment of defensive solidity. Introducing Cesc Fabregas, furthermore, compromised that solid platform on which Chelsea could attack in numbers.
The 3-5-2 negates this problem, however. Dropping an inside forward into midfield allows for both Kante and Bakayoko, Matic’s replacement, to occupy their defensive roles without worrying too much about shifting the ball forwards. They’re there simply to win back possession.
Once their job is complete, this is where Fabregas becomes important. One of Bakayoko or Kante can simply lay the ball off and let the Spaniard work his magic.
Despite starting on the bench for the most part of 2016/17, Fabregas created 61 chances, the second most of all Chelsea players behind Eden Hazard, and assisted 11 goals. Conte didn’t play him too often last season simply because his formational choice didn’t allow for his inclusion, not because he didn’t value or rate the player.
This is why the 3-5-2 should be Conte’s formation of choice. A five-man midfield pertains to Fabregas’ inclusion without compromising any defensive solidity.
Two defensive midfielders still roam the pitch and drop deep to protect the back three, with the Spaniard given a free role to influence the game. Like Andrea Pirlo for Juventus, it gives Fabregas license to roam without having to worry about any defensive responsibilities.
Easy. Chelsea have increased their midfield creativity, one of their major problems last season, without relinquishing defensive solidity, the key reason they won last year’s Premier League title.
Unlocking Eden HazardConte was hailed as a tactical genius, which he is, for the way in which his 3-4-3 system brought the best out of Hazard and the Belgian subsequently thrived in his new role, finishing the campaign with 10 goals, five assists and 89 chances created.
However, there’s more to come. Hazard was playing within a structured system and he was consequently required to play a more structured game. There was still a slight defensive role to fulfil and drifting too far from his position on the left flank was detrimental to the overall shape of the team.
The 3-5-2, though, changes the game. Instead of a rigid role on the left wing, Hazard will play as a second striker behind Alvaro Morata. The Belgian is best in central areas and in this system, he’s allowed to influence the game as close to the striker as possible, pertaining to intricate team build up play.
Perhaps the best example of this last season was Diego Costa's second goal versus Southampton in the 4-2 victory in April, shown in the above video.
By this point Pedro had already been substituted for Fabregas and Conte had moved to a 3-5-2 to close out the game. It meant Hazard was playing centrally, resulting in a fluid and intricate team goal.
It allows Hazard a free role. The only thing he’d have to worry about, therefore, is making an impact in the final third and drifting from his position isn’t at all harmful to team shape because of the five-man midfield.
With no set position, coupled with his dynamic movement, Hazard will be a nightmare for defenders. He can float from inside forward to out-and-out winger, from second striker to number ten, the possibilities are endless.
How Chelsea could line up in 2017/18
possible.... since chelsea not even interested to bid hamis rodriguez on a cheap deal to bayern..
pedro have proven hes willing to play wingback though hes defensive play is really heartwrenching...
willian seem have transition from hard runner ivanovic era to shooting specialist last term....
Jul 22 2017, 12:40 PM
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